Split System Quotes: The Most Common HVAC Job

Split system air conditioning installs are the most frequently quoted HVAC job in Australia. Every summer, customers call in droves wanting units installed before the heat hits. Every winter, it's the reverse — heating before the cold.

The traditional process: customer calls, you ask basic questions (room size, which brand they want), then drive out to check the wall space, measure the room, look at where the outdoor unit would go, and assess the electrical supply. An hour or more per quote, easily.

But split system installs are remarkably consistent in scope. The variables are well-defined and almost entirely visual. Room size, wall space, outdoor unit location, electrical supply, and pipe run length — all of these can be assessed from photos with reasonable accuracy.

What You Need to See

Indoor Unit Location

A photo of the proposed wall tells you:

Wall space — Is there enough clearance above and to the sides? Standard splits need roughly 2.5m ceiling height and 15cm clearance on each side. Customers often want the unit above a window or bed — photos show whether it fits

Wall construction — Plasterboard, brick, concrete block, or timber? This affects mounting brackets and install time

Proximity to external wall — How far is the indoor unit from the nearest external wall? This directly affects pipe run length and cost

Electrical supply — Is there a power point nearby on a dedicated circuit, or will you need to run a new circuit from the switchboard?

Outdoor Unit Location

A photo of the proposed outdoor location shows:

Ground space — Is there a flat area for a ground mount, or will you need wall brackets? Photos of the external wall and ground area tell you immediately

Clearance — How far from fences, neighbours, other units? Manufacturer minimum clearances are specific and non-negotiable

Access — Can you get the outdoor unit to the location? Narrow side passages, stairs, and gates all affect logistics

Surface — Concrete slab, pavers, dirt, or deck? Ground mounts on dirt need a concrete pad

The Pipe Run

The path from indoor to outdoor unit determines a big chunk of your install cost:

Back-to-back — Indoor unit on the same wall as the outdoor unit. Shortest pipe run, cheapest install. Most residential split system installs are back-to-back

Short run with bend — Indoor unit on an adjacent wall. One corner to navigate. Add 30-45 minutes

Long run — Indoor and outdoor units on opposite sides of the house. Longer pipe run, more brackets, more time. Photos of the proposed route (usually along the eaves or through the roof space) tell you the distance

Electrical Supply

Existing dedicated circuit — Some modern homes have pre-wired AC points. A photo of the switchboard shows whether there's a spare circuit labelled for AC

New circuit required — If there's no dedicated circuit, you need to run one from the switchboard. A photo of the switchboard shows available space for a new breaker

Sizing From Photos

One of the most common customer questions: "What size unit do I need?" Photos help:

Room dimensions — Ask the customer to measure length and width. Or they can take a photo showing the floor from corner to corner, which gives you a rough visual estimate

Window count and size — Large west-facing windows dramatically increase heat load. Photos show the window area and orientation

Ceiling height — A photo showing the full wall height (with a reference object like a door frame) gives you ceiling height

Insulation — Ask if the house has ceiling insulation. Older homes without insulation need a larger unit

Sun exposure — Which direction does the room face? Combined with a photo showing window coverings (or lack thereof), this affects sizing

Most residential rooms fall into predictable categories: 2.5kW for bedrooms, 3.5kW for medium living rooms, 5-7kW for large living areas. Photos confirm which category applies.

Pricing a Split System Install From Photos

Unit Cost

Based on the size determined from photos and customer preferences (budget, mid-range, premium). You know your supplier pricing for Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Samsung, etc.

Installation Labour

Back-to-back standard install — Your base rate. Typically 3-4 hours for a single split

Additional pipe run — Per metre beyond the standard back-to-back. Photos show the distance

Difficult access — Second storey, tight spaces, or roof space pipe runs. Photos show the access situation

Electrical work — Adding a dedicated circuit. Switchboard photos show the scope

Additional Costs

Concrete pad — If outdoor unit needs a pad on dirt. Photos show the surface

Trunking — Internal pipe cover for a neat finish. Some customers prefer exposed, some want trunking. Ask in the guided questions

Drain line — Where does the condensate drain go? Photos of the nearest drain point or garden area tell you the run length

The QuoteSnap Process for HVAC

Customer taps your QuoteSnap link

Takes photos: the wall for the indoor unit, the outdoor unit location, the switchboard, and the pipe route

Answers guided questions: room size, how many rooms, brand preference, budget range, existing AC being replaced?

You review photos and AI summary in your dashboard

AI identifies wall construction, available space, and flags any potential issues

You quote based on what you see

Common Quoting Mistakes to Avoid

Not checking the switchboard — If there are no spare ways, the customer needs a board upgrade before you can install. That's a separate job and a separate quote. Always get a switchboard photo

Ignoring the pipe run — Back-to-back installs are straightforward. Anything else adds time and materials. Map the route from the photos

Undersizing in hot rooms — A west-facing room with large windows and no insulation needs a bigger unit than the floor area suggests. Photos of the windows and sun exposure help you size correctly

Forgetting drainage — The condensate needs to go somewhere. If there's no nearby drain and the ground slopes toward the house, you might need to run a longer drain line

Not asking about multi-split — If the customer wants units in three bedrooms, a multi-split system might be more cost-effective than three individual splits. Ask about the full scope upfront

When You Need to Visit

Ducted system installs — Roof space assessment, duct routing, and zoning all need physical inspection

Commercial installs — Larger systems, three-phase power, BMS integration, and compliance requirements

Complex multi-storey access — If the photos show difficult access (second storey with no external wall nearby for the outdoor unit), visit to confirm

Asbestos concerns — If drilling through walls or eaves that might contain asbestos in pre-1990 homes

Getting Started

QuoteSnap is free for HVAC technicians — set up takes 5 minutes. Your customers photograph the room and wall space, and you quote the install from your dashboard. 30 free quotes per month on the free plan.

How to Quote a Split System Install From Photos